Condensate prepared by reacting formaldehyde with a reaction product of ammonia and a linear polymer containing equimolar amounts of maleic anhydride and at least one other ethylenically unsaturated monomer



United States Patent 1 Claim. (Cl. 260-72) This application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 60,576, Sellet, filed Oct. 5, 1960, now US. Patent 3,223,751.

The present invention relates to novel compositions of matter, their preparation from (a) anionic linear polymers and (b) cationic and amphoteric aminoplast resins and/ or their amino and amphoteric amino resin bases, and their utilization, particularly in the treatment of porous or fibrous substrates.

It is an object of the present invention to provide for novel treating agents, especially for porous or fibrous substrates which are obtained from anionic linear polymers and cationic and amphoteric aminoplast resins as well as their amino and amphoteric amino bases. It is a further object to provide for novel treating agents which when utilized in connection with said porous or fibrous substrates bring about enhanced properties of said substrates. Another object is to provide for procedures for preparing said novel treating agents. A still further object is to provide for improved leather, paper and textile treating agents which impart improved properties when applied to said substrates in such operations as retanning, tanning, dyeing, pigment dispersing, coating, textile finishing and adhesion. Other objects will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. It is intended, however, that the detailed description and specific examples do not limit the invention but merely indicate preferred embodiments thereof since various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

The above as well as other objects have been most unexpectedly and successfully achieved in the following manner. I have prepared and utilized in the treatment of various porous or fibrous substrates, resinous products which broadly can be described as mixtures of, complex salts of and condensates of (a) modified and unmodified Water soluble anionic linear polymers and (b) Water soluble and water dispersible cationic and amphoteric aminoplast resins. In the case of condensates of (a) and (b) above, I can utilize amino resin bases and amphoteric amino resin bases in lieu of the aminoplast resins. By the term mixtures, I mean mixtures of completely neutralized anionic linear polymers and cationic or amphoteric aminoplast resins. By complex salts, I mean the salt formed by reaction between an anionic linear polymer in its free acid form or partially neutralized form and a cationic or amphoteric aminoplast resin. To form the complex salts, the resin functions as a base.

The above products as will be shown subsequently are useful as pretanning agents, retanning agents, tanning agents and as auxiliary tanning agents for preparing improved leather products. Outstanding success has been found when leather resulting from metal salt tannages is treated with my products. For example, my products impart to the leather outstanding light fastness, increased fullness and loading, enhanced tensile strength and smooth grain. These products can be successfully used in such diverse applications in the tanning industry as in the preparation of garment, shoe, glove, suede, sole and mechanical leathers. Also, it has been found that fat liquoring operations are greatly enhanced. This is of special value for leather wherein zirconium salts have been utilized because I have found that my materials prevent the zirconium from reacting with the fat liquoring agents.

' My products impart improved properties to substrates other than leather. For example, when applied as dye assistants, improved color values and better leveling are obtained in many instances. Some of these products can be utilized as pigment dispersing agents, as agents in fiber and paper coating and as additives in paper making. When added to the beater, they serve as fillers and also improve wet resistance of the resulting paper. They have been found to contribute to enhanced fullness of the treated material, to supply special finishing effects and to exhibit binding and adhesive properties.

The application of my products in connection with a porous or fibrous substrate such as leather can be explained as follows. When a mixture or a complex salt of my two components, viz., the anionic linear polymer and the cationic aminoplast or amphoteric aminoplast resin is used, the mixture or complex salt is applied to the leather in the form of an aqueous solution or dispersion thereof by contacting the leather with said mixture. After the mixture or complex salt is colloidally absorbed to its greatest extent in the leather or other substrate, the pH is progressively lowered at intervals to a pH of about 2.5. In this manner, the cationic and anionic functional groups present in the mixture or complex salt of the anionic linear polymer and aminoplast resin are activated and inter-reacted, thus bringing about precipitation in the fibers of the leather or other porous or fibrous substrate. Alternatively, When a mixture of my two components is used, viz., a completely neutralized anionic linear polymer and a cationic or amphoteric aminoplast resin, the leather can be contacted with the two components successively and finally the two components are inte'rreacted by lowering the pH to about 2.5 to bring about precipitation. Likewise, the two components which make up the complex salt, viz., the anionic linear polymer in its free acid or partially neutralized form and the cationic or amphoteric aminoplast resin can be applied successively to the leather thus forming the complex salt in the leather. Then the pH can be lowered as indicated above to bring about precipitation in the leather. It must be appreciated however, that the pH value of 2.5 represents an average since this value will vary somewhat depending upon the nature of the mixture or complex salt of my two components which is added. The lowering of the pH can be accomplished by the introduction of water soluble mineral acids, water soluble organic carboxylic and hydroxy carboxylic acids and water soluble acidic metal salts. Examples of the above agents utilized to lower the pH are hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, sulfonic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, glycollic acid, diglycollic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, oxalic acid, aluminum sulfate, basic chrome sulfate and sodium bisulfate.

When a condensate of my two components is utilized, it is applied to the fibrous or porous substrate in a neutral form. Then the pH is progressively lowered at intervals to a pH of about 2.5. In this manner, the cationic and anionic functional groups present in the condensate are activated and interreact thus bringing about precipitation of the condensate in the substrate. Here again, it must .be appreciated that the pH value of about 2.5 represents an average since this value will vary depending upon the nature of the condensate. Lowering of the pH can be carried out by using the same water soluble acids and Water soluble metal salts referred to previously.

Whether mixtures, complex salts or condensates of my two components are applied to a substrate, impregnation is achieved through colloidal adsorption or through direct affinity of the substrate for the treating agent depending upon the nature of the substrate.

It is known to utilize certain anionic linear interpolymers in the tanning of leather. For example, U.S. Patent No. 2,205,882, Graves, lune 25, 1940, describes the use of partially neutralized maleic anhydridestyrene interpolymers as tanning agents. Also, it is known to utilize certain cationic aminoplast resins in the tanning of leather. However, the combination of these two classes of materials, as mixtures or complex salts to be precipitated in a substrate or as condensates to be precipitated in a substrate, has been found to bring about improved, indeed, superior results when compared with the use of the prior art indicated above. The outstanding lightfastness of leather treated with my products was most unexpected. This superiority is in contrast to the leathers treated with naphthalenic or phenolic synthetic tanning agents which has a deleterious effect on leather due to photochemical changes which they undergo. Moreover, the use of my materials also results in products having diverse utilities as indicated above. Additionally, many of the anionic linear polymer-s and many of the aminoplast resins described herein are in themselves new compositions of matter which can be utilized as taught herein.

ANIONIC LINEAR POLYMERS The modified and unmodified water soluble anionic linear polymers can be described as follows. They are copolymers of maleic acid, maleic anhydride or itaconic acid and olefinic hydrocarbons which are copolymerizable therewith. The resulting polymer can be utilized in its free acid form or as a partially or completely neutralized ammonium or alkali metal salt, e.g., as the sodium or potassium salt. When the acid form of the copolymer is difficultly soluble or insoluble in water, then the partially or completely neutralized forms are used. In preparing the copolymers, useful comonomers for the maleic anhydride, maleic acid or itaconic acid are one or a mixture of the following ethylenically unsaturated monomers: ethylene, styrene, p-methyl styrene, vinyl ethers such as methyl vinyl ether, ethyl vinyl ether, propyl vinyl ether, vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate, acrylic esters such as methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, methyl a-methylacrylate, isobutylene, diisobutylene, acrylamide and substituted acrylamide such as butyl acrylamide. In the above polymers, the maleic anhydride, maleic acid or itaconic acid and the ethylenically unsaturated monomers which are copolymerizable therewith are present in approximately a 1:1 mol ratio. In the case of copolymers of salts of itaconic acid and acrylamide, from about one to three mols of acrylamide can be utilized per mol of itaconic acid salt.

The prepartion of the above polymers is Well known in the art and this invention is not to be limited by such preparations. Polymerization procedures which can be utilized can be found in, e.g. US. Patent No. 2,047,398, Voss et. al., July 14, 1936; US. Patent No. 2,286,062, Condo et al., June 9, 1942; US. Patent No. 2,430,313, Vana, Nov. 4, 1947; US. Patent No. 2,490,489, Tauch, Dec. 6, 1949 and -U.S. Patent No. 2,378,629, Hanford, June 19, 1945.

The above polymers if desired, can be modified such as by forming their amide ammonium salts or amide amine salts. Also, the polymers can be reacted with salts of sulfoaminomethane, and the modified amide ammonium salts of the polymers can be further treated with salts of sulfohydroxy methane and if desired can be further treated with formaldehyde. These reactions are performed in equimolar proportions with regard to the reactive groups involved. However, this can be varied so as to obtain products of varying characteristics, i.e., products having characteristics lying between the unmodified formed during reaction.

and completely modified polymers. In other words, the polymers can be partially modified as well as completely modified as indicated above. Thus, by the expression, modified, I mean partially modified as well as completely modified anionic linear polymers.

These modified anionic polymers can be used in connection with cationic and amphoteric aminoplast resins and aminoplast resin bases as described herein for preparing stable solutions having cationic and anionic functional groups which can be int'erreacted by addition of acids. The can also be advantageously used by themselves in leather treatment whereby the stability under acidic conditions can be of importance in operations such as pretanning, tanning of pickled stock or when metal salt tannages are first submitted to an anionic retaining operation followed by an aminoplast resin treatment or with mixtures of other aminoplast resins and anionic linear polymers. Observations indicate improved tightness of the grain when applied on metal salttannages.

In preparing amide ammonium salts of the aforesaid polymers, ammonia gas is passed through the polymer in its anhydride form at room temperature or at slightly elevated temperatures. Two mols of ammonia gas are utilized per anhydride group.

When preparing amide amine salts, primary or secondary amines such as ethanolamine, diethanolamine and propanolamine are reacted with the polymer in its anhydride form at, e.g., 50 C. to C. in inert solvent such as dioxane or dimethylformamide. Two mols of amine are utilized per anhydride group. Of course, if further reaction of the amide amine salt is to be carried out, then only primary amines can be used in the preparation of the amide amine salt. The resulting water soluble compounds can be mixed with stable aminoplast resins to form stable solutions. The end use of the amide ammonium and amide amine salts is similar to those previously described when the free acids as well as the partially or completely neutralized linear polymers are used in conjunction with stable aminoplast resins. However, as the potential anionic property is weakened by the amide group, subsequent interreaction by acidification is of a lesser degree. Instead of a strong precipitate, only milky or colloidal or semicolloidal solutions are formed. Such forms of interreaction are desired particularly when better penetration and slower fixation in the substrate are required. The amide derivatives of the linear polymers are also suitable for condensation with aminoplast resins.

When modifying the polymers with salts of sulfoaminomethane, e.ig., the alkali metal salts such as sodium and potassium, the following procedure can be used. The salt of sulfoaminomethane is reacted with a half salt of the polymer, i.e., a one-half neutralized polymer, which still has remaining one free carboxylic acid group. Reaction is achieved by heating and driving off the water One mol of the salt of sulfoaminomethane is utilized per free carboxylic acid group of the polymer. Also, monosubstituted derivatives of the salts of sulfoaminomethane can be used such as the sodium salt of sulfohydroxyethylaminomethane. These condensates demonstrate increased acid stability.

Other useful and improved condensation products of anionic character are obtained when salts of sulfohydroxymethane, e.g., alkali metal salts such as. sodium or potassium, are condensed with the amide ammonium salts of the anionic linear polymers heretofore described. One mol of the salt of sulfohydroxy methane is utilized for each amide group in the polymer. These anionic condensates can be further condensed under prolonged heating with formaldehyde which reacts with the ammonium salt to form methylol amine. One mol of formaldehyde is utilized per each ammonium salt group. The final condensate shows increased stability to metal salts and has good pigment dispersing and suspending qualities. When the amide ammonium salts of a copolymer containing approximately equimolar amounts of styrene and maleic anhydride are used in the condensation with the salt of sulfohydroxymethane, an acid stable anionic polymer is produced. Useful anionic polymers can also be produced when the amide group of the amide ammonium salt of the anionic linear polymer is condensed with itaconic acid. One mol of itaconic acid is utilized per amide group which is present in the polymer. It has been found that the alkali metal salts, e.g., sodium and potassium, of the condensate of itaconic acid and the amide ammonium salt of a polymer containing approximately equimolar quantities of ethylene and maleic anhydride are good pigment dispersing agents. copolymer containing approximately equimolar amounts of styrene and maleic anhydride as amide ammonium salt is used in the condensation with itaconic acid, a condensate is produced which shows good stability at lower pH.

A particularly outstanding copolymer is obtained when from about one to three mols of acrylamide are copolymerized with one mol of itaconic acid or one mol of a substantially neutralized salt of itaconic acid, e.g., the sodium, potassium or ammonium salt in presence of a polymerization catalyst, e.g., potassium persulfate. Heating at about 75 C. for approximately 4 hours is suflicient to bring about copolymerization. The resulting product is an outstanding dispersing agent and adhesive when utilized alone either in its free acid or substantially neutralized salt form. It can also be admixed with stable aminoplast resins for preparing stable solutions having cationic and anionic functional groups which can be interreacted by addition of acids. The copolymerization product of acrylamide and salt of itaconic acid can be modified through saponification of the amide groups which are present to various degrees. This is accomplished by treatment with an alkali, e.g., sodium or potassium hydroxide. An anionic linear polymer having outstanding dispersing properties will result. This product can be dried to form a white to tan easily water soluble material.

AMINOPLAST RESINS AND AMINO RESIN BASES The cationic aminoplast resins, the amphoteric aminoplast resins, and their amino resin bases and amphoteric amino resin bases can be described as follows. The cationic aminoplast resins are prepared by interreacting or condensing an amino resin base with an aldehyde, preferably formaldehyde, or a compound which liberates formaldehyde such as paraformaldehyde, trioxane and hexamethylenetetramine. The amino resin bases can be characterized as low molecular weight nitrogen containing compounds which, by reaction between the hydrogen of the amine with aldehydes, form methylol derivatives in monomeric or polymeric form thus producing resinous materials of colloidal nature.

Examples of amino resin bases which are condensed with formaldehyde are dicyandiamide, guanidine, guanylurea, urea, thiourea, biuret, melamine, ameline, amelide, cyanuric acid, guanamine as well as their mixtures and derivatives. The aminoplast resins obtained as indicated above are generally characterized as cationic to various degrees, as water soluble or water dispersible and preferably should have a long and unlimited shelf life, i.e., should not undergo physical or chemical change upon standing for long periods of time. Exemplary of these cationic aminoplast resins are those described in British Patent No. 777,827, June 26, 1957. The resins described herein are characterized by their excellent shelf life. This results from the elimination of free methylol groups of the resin by reaction with aminoplast bases such as those given above. Other useful cationic aminoplast resins are those set forth in US. Patent No. 2,847,396, Sellet, Aug. 12,1958, i.e., the resins prepared in column 1, line 71 to column 2, line 15. The degree of cationic activity in the aminoplast resin is shown by interreaction with When a v anionic materials and is related to the degree of polymerization and molecular size. Aminoplast resins which are strongly cationic in nature are the higher molecular weight resins having a high degree of polymerization. Aminoplast resins having a lesser degree of cationic activity have lower molecular weights resulting from a lower degree of polymerization. Also, the presence of carbonamide groups tends to reduce the degree of cationic activity.

The amphoteric aminoplast resins are cationic aminoplast resins which have been modified by introducing anionic substituents into them such as carboxy groups and sulfo groups. The nature of the anionic substituent taken in connection with the nature of the cationic substituents of the aminoplast resin will determine whether cationic or anionic properties will predominate in the amphoteric resin. That is, the amphoteric aminoplast resins can vary in their nature from predominately cationic to predominately anionic resins. The reason for utilizing aminoplast resins varying in nature from cationic t-o amphoteric, i.e., from strongly cationic to weakly cationic is as follows. When strongly cationic resins are utilized in connection with the anionic linear polymers, whether as mixtures, com lex salts or condensates, and applied to a substrate such as leather and then precipitated with an acid, a fast inter-reaction occurs between the components, i.e., an immediate and heavy precipitate will be formed in the leather. On the other hand, when amphoteric aminoplast resins are utilized in connection with the anionic linear polymers, whether as mixtures, complex salts or condensates and applied to a substrate such as leather and then interreacted with an acid, a weaker and slower inter-reaction occurs between the components as compared to the reaction when a strongly cationic resin is used. This slower inter-reaction or precipitation is utilized when a more complete penetration is desired. Thus, when amphoteric aminoplast resins are utilized, an advantage is the fact that the acid sensitivity is of a lower degree.

Suitable amphoteric aminoplast resins are as follows. Any water soluble or water dispersible cationic aminoplast resin including those given above can be modified to form amphoteric resins by introducing either during or after their preparation anionic functional groups such as carboxylic and sulfo groups. Useful amphoteric aminoplast resins can be found in US. Patent No. 2,847,- 396, Sellet, Aug. 12, 1958. That is, the amino-modified stage A resins described therein can be modified as set forth in column 3, lines 9 to 38 of this patent. Likewise the resins obtained by carrying out stages one and two described in US. Patent No. 2,870,122, Sellet, Jan. 20, 1959, can be modified as set forth in column 4, lines 13 to 39 of this patent. The products prepared according to British Patent No. 777,827, June 26, 1957, are particularly suited for transformation into amphoteric aminoplast resins.

Other useful amphoteric aminoplast resins can be prepared by condensing unsaturated dibasic acids such as itaconic acid, maleic acid and maleic anhydride or their monoammonium salts with equimolar amounts of dicyandiamide in aqueous solution. Upon prolonged heating, e.g., at reflux for, e.g., four to six hours, condensation occurs simultaneously with saponification of the nitrile group. This has been demonstrated by infra-red analysis. Also, in the case of itaconic acid, the double bond disappears as indicated by infra-red analysis. This would indicate lactam formation. The above condensates, e.g., of itaconic acid and dicyandiamide, can be admixed with the anionic linear polymers previously described or alternatively condensed at elevated temperatures with said linear polymers. If desired, the condensates of dicyandiamide and itaconic or maleic acid or anhydride can be condensed with aldehydes. Preferably the condensate of itaconic or maleic acid and dicyandiamide is condensed with from one to four mols of aldehyde, e.g., formaldehyde and then mixed or condensed with the anionic linear polymers.

Another type of aminoplast resin can be prepared by first preparing a mono ammonium or mono-primary amine salt of itaconic acid or maleic acid. The amine salts are obtained from reaction with lower alkanolamines such as ethanolamine. One mol of this product is in turn reacted with one mol of an aldehyde, e.g., formaldehyde, resulting in the acid salt of the methylolated amine. An amino resin base, dicyandiamide, in equimolar amounts with regard to the itaconic or maleic acid, is then introduced and condensed with the methylolated amine. Through prolonged heating in presence of water further condensation occurs between the newly formed amine compound, and the acid thus yielding a lactam. Also, the nitrile group is saponified. These products when further reacted with an aldehyde, e.g., from one to 4 mols can be admixed with the aforesaid anionic linear polymers to produce stable materials for treating the various substrates referred to herein. Preferably the amphoteric resins and the linear polymers are utilized in their partially or completely neutralized state. The above condensation products prepared from the itaconic or maleic acids or anhydride possess a higher cationic functional property when compared with a condensate of itaconic acid and dicyandiamide alone.

Also, modified amino resin bases, e.g., the sodium or potassium salt of sulfo methyl dicyandiamide can be reacted with an aldehyde, e.g., from one to three mols of formaldehyde per mol of modified amino resin base and the resulting amphoteric aminoplast resin utilized in admixture or as a condensate with the anionic linear polymers.

Examples of useful amino resin bases which can be condensed with the anionic linear polymers are dicyandiamide, guanidine, guanylurea, urea, thiourea, biuret, melamine, ameline, amelide, cyanuric acid, guanamine, as well as their mixtures and derivatives. Examples of amino amphoteric resin bases which can be condensed with the anionic linear polymers are the sodium salt of sulfomethyl dicyandiamide and condensates of dicyandiamide and itaconic acid or maleic acid or maleic anhydride.

When my two components are utilized as mixtures or as complex salts with the anionic linear polymers and subsequently precipitated upon a substrate by addition of an acid, they can be utilized in approximately equimolar amounts. However, this is not to be construed as a limiting relationship because either of my two components can be present in varying molar excesses over the other component. This will depend upon the final effects which are desired. For example, leather treated with a copolymer containing approximately equimolar amounts of styrene and maleic acid will receive dye rather poorly. However, even the presence of a small amount of aminoplast resin will enhance the afiinity of the dye. Thus, as merely indicative, but not limiting, my two components when utilized as mixtures or complex salts can be present in a molar relationship of from 1:15 to :1 with regard to each other.

When my two components are utilized either as a mixture, complex salt or as a condensate in connection with the treatment of a substrate the substrate is maintained in aqueous medium. Additionally, water soluble solvents, e.g., water soluble alcohols, glycols, esters and ethers can be present. My two components when utilized separately to form a mixture or as a complex salt or as a condensate can be added to the substrate as aqueous solutions, aqueous dispersions or as dry solids whenever the components are of such a nature that they can be obtained in the form of solids. For example, the anionic linear polymers as well as the cationic aminoplast resins and their amino and amphoteric amino resin bases can be prepared as solids by removing the water, e.g., by boiling, roll drying or spray drying to form solid material. The solid material can be ground or flaked as desired. Likewise, the condensates of the above components can be utilized as solutions, dispersions or as solids.

CONDENSATES OF ANIONIC LINEAR POLYMERS AND AMINOPLAST RESINS AND AMINO RESIN BASES With regard to the preparation of condensates of my two components, which can be applied to a substrate, the following is set forth.

Cationic aminoplast resins, preferably those which have their methylol groups substantially blocked off, can be condensed with anionic linear polymers which have a free carboxyl group available for reaction with the available hydrogen of the cationic aminoplast resin. Provision must be made so that the resulting condensate has amphoteric characteristics. This can be accomplished by condensing one mol of aminoplast resin with one mol of an anionic linear polymer which preferably has its second carboxyl group neutralized. That is, one mol of aminoplast resin is utilized for each free carboxy group of the linear polymer.

Water soluble anionic linear polymers in their free acid or as partially neutralized forms whether modified or unmodified, such as those heretofore described can be reacted with aminoplast resin bases such as those previously described. Thereafter, the resulting condensate can be subsequently reacted with an aldehyde, e.g., formaldehyde. For example, linear polymers which are water soluble as free acids or as their partially neutralized salts can be used as modifying agents for aminoplast resin bases such as dicyandiamide. When the two were dissolved in water in equimolar proportions and heated for several hours, the pH which at the start shows a pH value of 2.4, rose gradually to 4.6. Infra-red analysis showed disappearance of the nitrile group. Generally, a water solution or slurry in water of both reactants is first heated preferably near the boiling point of water. More heat is then applied to reach temperatures above C., preferably between to C. in order to drive off the water and to bring about condensation. The reaction product is then treated with aldehyde, preferably 3 to 4 mols of formaldehyde to produce an aminoplast resin of amphoteric character. The reaction product is then substantially neutralized and forms a stable solution.

Other amphoteric condensates can be prepared by condensing the aforesaid anionic linear polymers with modified aminoplast and amphoteric aminoplast resin bases, e.g., the sodium or potassium salts of sulfo methyl dicyandiamide or the condensate of itaconic acid or maleic acid or anhydride and dicyandiamide. When an amino base is used, subsequent treatment with an aldehyde, preferably 1 to 4 mols of formaldehyde, is utilized.

Some of the aforesaid products which are useful in particular as pigment dispersing agents are obtained when an aminoplast resin base, in particular dicyandiamide, is first condensed with, e.g., itaconic acid to form an amphoterrc resin base having reactive primary or secondary ammo groups. Then further condensation with anionic l near polymers as free acids or their anhydrides is carried out. The amphoteric resin base and linear polymer are first dissolved in water, preferably in equimolar proportions. After evaporation of the water present, the condensation is carried through at temperature above 100 C. preferably between 110 to 120 C. The resulting condensation product is then neutralized to pH of 8.5 to 9.

Condensation products of similar characteristics can also be prepared by condensing a dicyandiamide maleic acid reaction product with said linear polymers. The above mentioned types of condensation products are particularly useful as pigment dispersants.

Other amphoteric condensates can be prepared by reacting amide ammonium salts of the aforesaid anionic linear polymers with methylolated amphoteric resins.

9. NATURE OF SUBSTRATE As previously indicated, my two components whether as a mixture, complex salt or as a condensate can be applied to many diverse substrates. Exemplary of these substrates are porous or fibrous substrates such as leather, paper, wool, cork, non-woven textiles or bats, such as felt and Masslin, woven textiles of cotton, wool, silk, rayon, regenerated cellulose, nylon, Dacron, polyacrylonitrile and others. When my two components are utilized as dye assistants they can be used in connection with the above indicated woven and non-woven textiles. Additionally, they can be used in connection with the dying of yarns and filaments. Synthetic yarns, filaments and woven and non-woven textiles can be treated with my components such as nylon, Dacron, polyacrylonitrile, etc.

In the treatment of a substrate such as leather from about 3% to about 20% of my products are utilized based on the weight of the wet shaved leather.

Throughout this specification, wherever molar amounts of linear polymer are referred to this means one reoccurring molar group regardless of the specific reactive substituents therein. For example, in a polymer obtained by copolymerizing equimolar quantities of itaconic acid and ethylene, each reoccurring itaconic acid-ethylene group is deemed to be one molar group.

The following examples are directed to the preparation of mixtures, complex salts and condensates of my two components. It must be kept in mind that the mixtures can be applied to a substrate and then treated with acid to bring about interreaction and precipitation or else the substrate can be treated in succession with the two components after which the acid treatment is carried out. Likewise, in the use of complex salts, the complex salt can be applied to the substrate and then treated with acid to bring about interreaction and precipitation or else the substrate can first be treated in succession with the two components which react and form the complex salt after contact with the substrate and then treated with acid to bring about precipitation and interreaction.

Example 1 104 grams of sodium bisulfite, 100 cc. of water and 81.5 grams of formaldehyde (37% by weight aqueous solution) were mixed together and as a result of an exothermic reaction, the sodium salt of sulfohydroxy methane was formed. Then 84 grams of dicyandiamide were added, the mixture refluxed 95 C. for 1 hour, 163 grams of formaldehyde (37% by weight aqueous solution) was added and the reaction was completed by heating under reflux for 5 hours at 95 C. Then a solution of 160 grams of an amide ammonium salt of a maleic ethylene copolymer and 840 cc. water was added and the mixture heated for 1 /2 hours at 80 C. for further condensation. The amide ammonium salt was prepared from a polymer containing equimolar quantities of maleic anhydride and ethylene.

The resulting amphoteric product inter-reacts under acidic conditions by forming a semi-colloidal slightly milky solution. When applied on chrome stock it confers to the leather an excellent soft and smooth feel as well as a good bleaching effect. Also, a stable solution of the amphoteric product can be mixed with stable cationic aminoplast resins with the effect of producing a stronger inter-reaction under acid conditions.

Example 11 160 grams of an amide ammonium salt of a maleic ethylene copolymer were dissolved in 840 grams of water. To the resulting solution, there was added with stirring 285 grams of an aqueous solution of the sodium salt of sulfohydroxymethane obtained by condensing 104 grams of sodium bisulfite and 81 grams of formaldehyde (37% by weight aqueous solution) in the presence of 100 grams of water. The above mixture was then heated for 6 hours at C. to (2., thus producing condensation between the reactive methylol group and the reactive amide functional group of the copolymer.

The product after condensation formed a stable solution. A non-hygroscopic white powder was prepared by evaporation of the water. This is preferably preformed through spray drying. The product is a good pigment dispersing agent. Neutral solutions of this condensation product can also be used as an anionic material for retanning and bleaching chrome tanned leather. The product also can be mixed with aminoplast resins of various degrees of cation activity and produces inter-reaction therewith upon the addition of acid.

The amide ammonium salt was the same as that utilized in Example I.

Example 111 1285 grams of the reaction product as obtained in Example II were further reacted with 81 grams formaldehyde (37% by weight aqueous solution) by heating for 2 hours at 50 C. The original pH showed a value of 5.7 which dropped after reaction with formaldehyde reaction to 4.2.

The thus formed methylolamine condensed with the remaining hydrogen of the amide functional group.

The free carboxy group which was formed was subsequently neutralized to a pH 8.0. This reaction product has a much improved tolerance to heavy metal salts as compared with the product of Example II.

This material has excellent pigment dispersing properties and can be used as an auxiliary tanning compound similar to the product of Example II.

Example IV (A) grams (one mol) of itaconic acid were dissolved in 500 cc. of distilled water by heating to 60 C. Then 106 grams of sodium carbonate were added to the itaconic acid solution to form the disodium salt of itaconic acid. The pH of the solution was 5.2. Then 171 grams (three mols) of acrylamide were dissolved in the itaconic acid solution.

To copolymerize the acrylamide and the salt of itaconic acid, 5 grams of potassium persulfate were introduced and the temperature of the solution raised to 70 C. An exothermic reaction occurred and the temperature rose to 108 C. After cooling, heating was continued for 4 hourse at temperatures between 70 to 75 C. Finally, 541 grams of distilled water was added to the reaction product, thus forming a solution having approximately 25% by weight solids. The pH of a 10% solution was 7.7. This product was found to be a very good dispersing agent and adhesive. Also this product can be admixed with cationic aminoplast resins and the mixture used to treat various substrates such as leather by bringing about interreaction of its functional groups by addition of acid.

(B) The above procedure was repeated except that two mols of acrylamide were utilized in the polymerization with one mol of the disodium salt of itaconic acid. This product was found to be a very good dispersing agent.

Example V The procedure of Example IV was repeated to obtain the copolymer of acrylamide and the sodium salt of itaconic acid. To the resulting copolymer, 330 grams of a 40 B. solution of sodium hydroxide was introduced through a funnel during the course of 25 minutes. The temperature was progressively raised to 92 C. whereupon ammonia gas was evolved. The temperature was gradually increased to 100 C. with strong stirring. Heating at this temperature with stirring was maintained until the ammonia was largely eliminated. This required about four hours. Thus, the amide groups of the copolymer were saponified to carboxy groups in the form of their sodium salt. This product can be spray or drum dried to form solids. This product has been found to be a more superior dispersing agent than the corresponding unsaponified product, i.e., the product of Example IV.

Example VI In this example, the products of Example IVA, Example IVB and V utilized as aqueous solutions containing 25% by weight of solids and Examples II and III utilized as powdered materials were evaluated as pigment dispersants for a non-dispersed kaolin (KCS obtained from Georgia Kaolin Co.) and titanium dioxide (TiPr- 610 of Du Pont).

The following procedure was used. The kaolin or the titanium dioxide was added in increments with high speed stirring to water containing one of the above products to be tested. Sufiicient kaolin was used so that the resulting pigment suspension contained 62% by weight of the total, of kaolin. In the case of the titanium dioxide suspensions, enough titanium dioxide was used so that the resulting pigment suspension contained 61% by weight of the total, of titanium dioxide. The amount of product to be tested was 0.25% by weight of the pigment except where indicated otherwise. Viscosity measurements of the suspensions were made at C. using a Brookfield viscosimeter. Tables I and III reproduce the data. The viscosities are related to the flow properties of the suspensions and indicate the defiocculating or dispersing power of the materials tested. That is, the defiocculating or dispersing power of a material is determined by its ability to produce fluid suspensions.

After the viscosities were determined as indicate-d above, a latex containing 48i1.5% by weight of a styrene-butadiene copolymer in a 60:40 ratio (Dow latex 512-R) was added with mixing to the suspensions prepared above. The amount of latex utilized on a solids basis was 12% by weight of the pigment thus giving a 60% total solids content to the suspension in the case of the kaolin suspension and a 59% by weight of total solids content in the ease of titanium dioxide suspensions. Viscosities were again determined at 25 C. using a Brookfie'ld viscosimeter. Tables II and IV reproduce the data. These compositions are paper coating compositions wherein the latex is used as the binder.

Where no dispersing agent was used, the pigment when added to water formed a non flowable solid. This observation is omitted from the tables.

TABLE I.SUSIENSIONS CONTAINING KAOLIN AS THE PIGMENI Product Percent by wt. Viscosity Determination of of product Example based on wt.

N o. of pigment 1 Spindle R.p.rn. Vise. Visual Observation N o. (cps.)

IV A 0.25 l 12 50 Thin fluid.

1 38 Do. 1 60 36 Do. IV B 0.25 2 12 250 Free flowing fluid.

2 30 250 Do. 2 60 270 D0. V 0. 25 2 12 410 D0. 2 30 280 Do. 2 60 206 D0. II 0. 2 12 400 Do. 2 30 270 D0. 2 190 Do III 0. 40 1 12 Thin fluid 1 30 54 Do. 1 60 46 Do.

1 Where product is a liquid, the percent is percent of product on a dry basis.

TABLE II.SUSPENSIONS CONTAINING KAOLIN AS THE PIGMENT AND LATEX SOLIDS Product Percent by wt. Viscosity Determination of of product Example based on wt.

No. of pigment l Spindle Rpm. Vise. Visual Observation N o. (cps.)

IV A 0.25 1 12 Thin fluid.

IV 13 0.25 1 12 125 D0. 1 30 110 D0. 1 60 95 Do.

V 0.25 2 12 740 Heavy fluid.

2 30 490 D0. 2 G0 314 Do.

II 0.50 1 12 Thln fluid 1 30 90 D0. 1 60 66 Do.

III 0. 40 1 12 80 D0. 1 30 60 D0. 1 60 49 Do.

1 Where product is a liquid, the percent is percent of product on a dry basis.

TABLE III.SUSPENSIONS CONTAINING TITANIUM DIOXIDE AS THE PI GMENT 1 The percent is percent of product on a dry basis.

TABLE IV.SUSPEN SION S CONTAINING TITANIUM DIOXIDE AS THE PIGMENT AND LATEX SOLIDS Product Percent by wt. Viscosity Determination of of product Example based on wt.

N o. of pigment 1 Spindle R.p.m. Visc. Visual Observation N o. (cps) IV A 0. 81 2 12 770 Heavy flowing liquid.

2 30 430 Do. 2 60 260 Do IV B 0. 31 2 12 650 D0 2 30 350 D0 2 60 210 D0 1 The percent is percent of product on a dry basis.

From the foregoing data, it can be seen that the above 15 hours.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A condensate of molar amounts of formaldehyde and molar amounts of a condensate of (1) salts of sulfohydroxymethane and (2) an amide ammonium salt which is the reaction product of (a) at least two moles of ammonia and one mole (b) a water soluble linear copolymer, said copolymer containing approximately equimolar amounts of maleic anhydride and at least one other ethylenically unsaturated monomer copolymerizable therewith.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,870,122 1/1959 Sellet 26069 2,891,932 6/1959 Hankins 2 60-805 2,913,437 11/1959 Johnson 260--78.5

0 WILLIAM H. SHORT, Primary Examiner.

SAMUEL H. BLECH, Examiner.

H. E. SCHAIN, Assistant Examiner. 

